Saturday, July 18, 2009

Where are the Archives (2)

On the same subject of declassification of history, the Central Information Commission (CIC) has passed an interesting order on December 31, 2007, when the Commission was asked to decide if some files kept by the Ministry of Defense could be declassified under the RTI.

The CIC recommended that the MoD should built 'a storehouse of information' for scholars or historians. Has something happened since then? Doubtful. Reminder will probably be needed.

Here is an extract of the Order:“We recommend that the Indian Navy and, in fact the Indian Armed Forces build up their storehouse of information, as mandated u/s 4(1) of the RTI Act, 2005 for disclosure at the appropriate time for the benefit of the students of India’s defence and to enhance the people’s trust in the armed forces’ undoubted capacity to ensure national security.”The Order is available on the CIC's website or by clicking here.